cigar lake operation facts

Since commissioning in 2014, the site has produced a total of 82.9 million pounds (100% basis). Commercial operation began in May 2015. As the operator, Cameco developed an innovative jet-boring technique specifically for mining this deposit. Cigar Lake’s ore is processed 70 km northeast, at the McClean Lake mill, operated by Orano.

On March 23, 2020, Cameco announced it would temporarily suspend production due to the threat posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Production at the operation was ramped down and in April, the site was placed into a safe state of care and maintenance. During the subsequent 5-month period, Cigar Lake continued to maintain a strong focus on safety and environmental protection. Mining operations resumed in September.

Location• 660 km north of SaskatoonOwnership• A joint venture of Cameco (50%), Orano Canada Inc. (formerly AREVA

Resources Canada) (37%), Idemitsu Canada (8%) and TEPCO Resources (5%)• Operator: Cameco

Workforce• During normal operations, Cigar Lake has 350 Cameco employees and

about 230 permanent and project-related contractors. About half of the workforce are residents of Saskatchewan’s north.

History• Deposit discovered in 1981• Construction period 2005-2013, interrupted by water inflows in 2006

and 2008• First ore slurry shipped to McClean Lake on March 13, 2014 • First Cigar Lake uranium oxide packaged in October 2014• Commercial production declared May 1, 2015• Reached full production of 18 million pounds in 2017

Cameco COVID-19 Response - Cigar Lake Mine

Cigar Lake is the world’s highest grade uranium mine and is located in northern Saskatchewan.

10/2020

www.cameconorth.com 306.956.6200 (Saskatoon)

community liaison

representatives

Ricky Robillard Black Lake FN/ Stony Rapids

Darlene Gazandlare Hatchet Lake FN/

Wollaston

Regulatory oversightIn November 2019, Cameco applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to begin the process to renew the Cigar Lake licence. Cameco is requesting a 10-year licence and the hearing is expected to be held in April 2021. The current licence is valid until June 30, 2021.

During the current licence term Cigar Lake completed construction activities and successfully transitioned through commissioning to commercial production.

Safety first

Cigar Lake’s risk-based approach and strong safety culture seeks to introduce safety controls before incidents occur. The operation’s solid safety record has been recognized by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum with the John T. Ryan Regional Metal Trophy for the Prairies and Territories award for three consecutive years.

Throughout this period:

• Workers were safe and properly protected. • There were no releases that harmed the environment

or health and safety of people nearby.• All treated water released from the facility met

regulatory requirements and was safe. • Environmental monitoring consistently showed that

fish and plants were safe to eat.• Cameco engaged with northern stakeholders to keep

them informed of our activities.

Protecting the environment

Comprehensive monitoring programs are in place at the Cigar Lake operation to help protect the surrounding environment. Samples of water, air, soil, plants and fish are collected from numerous locations around the site and tested to confirm that environmental protection systems are effective. Monitoring results are submitted to federal and provincial regulatory authorities for review. Cameco also supports independent regional monitoring downstream of its Saskatchewan operations to ensure there are no cumulative effects on the regional watershed. The extensive monitoring undertaken at Cigar Lake has identified no significant impact on the surrounding environment.